The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-25
MRS. MARY OSBORNE.


Mrs. Mary Osborne died in this city yes
terday, aged 100 years, 9months and 81 days.
Mrs. Osborne was the mother-in-law of the
Mexican War veteran, Frank flanagan.
Her maiden name was Mary Woods. Her
fathers name was William Woods. He was
a ship owner and engaged in the East India
trade in Boston. He died of yellow fever.
Mrs. Osborne speaking of her childhood
some time ago, said; my parents sent me,
when was very young, to school at Ded-
ham kept by Master White. boarded that
summer in most rustic kind of house.
remember some of my schoolmates There
was one family of all boys, John, Sam and
William Bradford, all of Boston. / remem-
Der two White girls My chamber was low
room with windows of isinglass let into lead.
/ remember that they gave us brown bread
and cider apple sauce. My beau was Sam
Bradford, his brother John used to keep a
store in Boston. When lived at home I
used to see the father of Governor Anderson
of Maine He was merchant, and made
our house his home while in Boston. Nv
parents died when was ten years old, and
brother of my father took us children to
named Wise, who lived in Kennebunk. in
vited me to make his house my home, and 90
to school, He had been assisted by NV
father in business and wanted to do some
thing to show his gratitude. | lived with
him for three years, and went to school To
old Master Osborn. He had son named
Samuel. l went to Boston and lived for
seven years. One Of my friends was a man
named Boyd, brother to old General Boyd.
This Mr.. Boyd once had store on Long
wharf, Boston, then he went to Berwick and
became minister. After stopping in Bos-
ton seven years. went to my uncle's in New
Hampshire. was thirty-three when mar.
ried my husband and we went to live al
Kennebunk and Wells Depot. My husband
died in 1857.
Mrs. Osborne's husband had high opin.
ion of President Jefferson, and the old lady
kept in her possession handsomely framed
letter from Thomas Jefferson to Mr.. os-
borne. The letter reads as follows:
c., w. -. August 20,
18th instant, and am very sensible of the favor
with which you are pleased to express yourself
tenn of service my fellow-citizens think have
| effected anything useful for our country. nv re-
WARD Is IN ther appreciation: am thankful that
nave nVed 10 see the sacrifices of the reyolution
airy generation, whatever they may have been. re-
| suit In so great share of happiness to their de
scendants, ana that they may perpetuate and i'm
| prove these blessings will be my last PRAYER TC
| and respect. tn IFFFFRsoN
| Mr. Samuel L. Osborn.
Mrs. Osborne also possessed button made
for coat presented to Gen. Washington. II
bears the initial ''W," with the words "Lonp
Live the President" Up to within short
time before her decease, the old lady kept VI
her interest in passing events, but had to be
read to. Her memory Of events in her youth
was excellent. She remembered Boston
Common when it was in a state Of nature
The pond was in field or pasture, and she
and other children played around the old
trees now gone. She remembered the night
when the old Province House was burned
Her father and mother were buried in the
old Granary burying ground. She remem
bered Major Henry Plunkett, who was one
OF the men who threw the tea overheard.
| when Governor Hancock died, 'said Mrs
Osborne, "all the people went to see the body
They took me, too. They didn't have much
state about it. He lay in his own chamber
L went in by the front door and turned tc
the right. He was dressed in white robe
and his face looked very white and good.
| Il saw one great fire. / saw seven
rope walks burn at once. They were situat.
ed as you go from Fort Hill to Oliver street
l went around the corner and saw the entire
seven on fire at once. That made big fire
for the Boston of that day, tell you. Then
l saw the Federal street theatre burned"
Mrs. Osborne was asked some time ago il
she would not like to see her hundredth
year, but she, while willing to await the
Lords pleasure. was tired and ready to 90.